Charles Burchfield, Journals, May 3, 1962

May 3 – Thursday –

Cool – cloudy – strong damp S.W. wind –

A.M. – In the studio – working on the drawing for the Wellsville picture -  In my zeal for upward rhythm I had the trees too writhing – using a study I had made the other night of the trees out front, I straightened the tree trunks, giving them more architectural solidity. I am not yet sure of it however.

Got out the “Summer Solstice” (Memorial to the Chestnut Tree) and “Sunburst” to determine whether they needed space at the top. They do not – I was especially pleased with the “Solstice” – it is more nearly complete than I thought last summer. All my painting life I have been trying to express the miracle of noon on the longest day of the year – Is this my last word on the subject?  - I hope not! That someday I may get much nearer to the heart of the matter –

At noon we went to the Chestnut Lodge – however every available table + booths were taken, and being in a hurry, we left and instead went to Creams.

Then to Southgate Plaza food shopping –

In the studio again in the afternoon. Got out a 1918 folio to look over – an incomplete swamp picture at twilight suggests a new picture to based on it.

Bedtime music – three concertos of Vivaldi and one by Albinoni.

Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, May 3, 1962